Ultrahaptics Introduces a Development Kit for Evaluation and Prototyping of Mid-air Haptics in Touchless Gesture Controls

Ultrahaptics, specialist in mid-air touchless haptic technology, introduces a development platform that allows companies looking to evolve innovative control solutions a route to easily evaluate and appreciate the benefits of gesture controls enhanced by tactile feedback sensations. The UHDK5 TOUCH Development Kit provides a complete hardware and software package with an architecture that can readily be embedded in product designs, from prototypes right through to volume production.

With its patented core technology, Ultrahaptics uses ultrasound to provide a unique touch sensation that can revolutionise the human-machine interface, enabling users to 'feel' virtual buttons, switches, dials and other objects in mid-air. Touchless controls are hygienic for use in medical, industrial and domestic environments, such as hospitals, kitchens and restrooms, while their use for automotive infotainment and dashboard functions enhances safety, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road. The disruptive nature of gesture control with haptic feedback, providing two-way communication with devices, also opens up new possibilities in consumer electronics, computing and gaming applications.

Ultrahaptics' self-contained plug-and-play UHDK5 TOUCH development kit works straight out of the box and can be up and running in just a few minutes to provide demonstrations that require no technical knowledge from the user. For developers, the embeddable architecture (utilising an ARM Core plus FPGA) eases integration and provides a production ready design that minimises BOM cost. Similarly the provision of APIs, coded using the widely adopted C++ programming language, allows software engineers to easily adapt their application interfaces with customised sensations.

"Our haptic technology, which is already commercially available, enables product designers to bring responsive gesture recognition to their customers in a way never previously imagined," said David Owen, VP Business Development at Ultrahaptics. "Our aim in introducing this development kit is to speed up the evaluation and product development cycle and allow our customers to bring their differentiated product designs to market even quicker."

Shipping in January 2016, the TOUCH development kit will be available to pre-order through Avnet from November 2016.